Chandler's Premier Criminal Defense Firm
A Trial-Tested Team Focused On Personalized Service

Chandler, Arizona, Criminal Defense Lawyers

Have you been charged with a crime in Chandler, Arizona? If so, hiring
an experienced lawyer is the best thing you can do to protect your rights
and your freedom. Former Deputy County Attorney Ryan McPhie brings a unique
insight into how criminal prosecution works in Arizona, as well as extensive
knowledge of Maricopa County and Arizona courts. Call us at (480) 771-7977
for a free consultation.

Criminal Sentencing in Maricopa County

According to a
report from the Arizona Judicial Branch, nearly 25,000 defendants were sentenced
in the Maricopa County in 2017. Of those, 5,550 were committed to the
Arizona Department of Corrections or Juvenile Corrections, and 18,528
received some type of probation, including both supervised and unsupervised
probation.

The Arizona Judicial Branch also
reported more than 220,000 criminal traffic cases on file in Maricopa County in
2017, including 94,692 DUI cases alone. A total of 765 criminal traffic
cases went to trial during the year, as well as 1,407 misdemeanor cases.
Bench trials constituted the vast majority of these trials, with jury
trials being much less common.

Why You Need an Attorney

Criminal defendants sometime choose to represent themselves in court rather
than to hire an attorney. However, there are numerous reasons why it is
in your best interest to hire an attorney with experience representing
criminal defendants; below we discuss some of the most significant reasons.

An attorney has the education and training to understand the complex legal
process and to defend your rights, from the time that you are arrested
until the case is concluded.

An attorney is experienced in negotiating with the prosecution, which may
mean getting charges dismissed or reduced, resulting in less jail time,
reduced fines, and less potential damage to your reputation.

Even simple charges that seem like they can be successfully handled without
an attorney may have a serious impact on your life if things go awry.

If you represent yourself at trial, you will be held to the same standard
as a licensed attorney. Don’t expect the judge or jury to help you
present your case, and don’t expect the prosecution to go easy on
you simply because you are unrepresented.

While we cannot guarantee any particular outcome in your case, McPhie Law has a
successful track record in its criminal defense cases, and we focus on providing our clients with
the best possible outcome in terms of their freedom and their future,
as well as helping reduce the stress of the situation by providing explanations
and options throughout the case.

What Types of Cases Do We Handle?

McPhie Law represents clients who have been charged with both misdemeanors
and felonies. Below we provide a brief description of these two classifications:

Misdemeanors are considered “lesser” crimes than felonies. You generally
won’t be sentenced to prison time if convicted of a misdemeanor,
but you may be sentenced to serve time in jail, as well as forced to complete
probation and pay hefty fines. There are three classes of misdemeanors,
with Class 1 being the most serious.

Felonies are considered more serious crimes, and often involve the potential of
a prison sentence, even for a first-time offender or a non-violent offense.
Felonies include dangerous crimes, which cause or could potentially cause
injury or death to another person, as well as many non-dangerous crimes.
As with misdemeanors, felonies are classified according to seriousness,
with Class 1 being the most serious; there are six classes of felony crimes.

We represent clients who have been accused of many different offenses,
including:

We also help our clients restore their civil rights once they complete
probation, including the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to run for
public office, and to possess firearms. Additionally, we help eligible
clients have past convictions set aside, which is the closest thing to
expungement that Arizona offers, to restore civil rights, make it easier
to get a job, and make it more likely to qualify for public housing.

What Is the Legal Process for a Criminal Trial?

As stated, the legal process is complex and can vary based on individual
circumstances. However, below we provide a brief description of the steps
involved in most Arizona criminal proceedings.

Initial appearance. Following your arrest, you will appear in court, where the judge will
set the conditions of your release and schedule your arraignment.

Arraignment. The judge will read the crimes that you have been charged with and ensure
that you understand the charges. You will enter a plea of guilty or not
guilty at this time. Usually, defendants enter a not guilty plea, so that
their attorney can start the process of discovery and begin negotiations
with the prosecution.

Pre-trial conference. This is another opportunity for your lawyer to negotiate with the prosecution
and work toward a resolution, which may include a change of plea, motion
hearing, or trial. The court generally expects an update on the progress
of the case during this hearing.

Trial. Most criminal cases are resolved before ever going to trial. However,
if your case is one of the few that goes to trial, then this is the chance
for your attorney to make your case before a judge or a jury of your peers.

Post-trial proceedings. If you’re convicted following a trial, you should discuss the option
of appeal with your attorney. Otherwise, you will await sentencing and
being completing the conditions of that sentence, which may include a
combination of incarceration, fines, probation, and more.

Call Our Chandler Criminal Defense Attorneys Today

If you are charged with a crime in the Chandler, Arizona, area, McPhie
Law will provide you with a free consultation and case review to review
the details of your case and discuss your options. If we agree to represent
you, you may be eligible for a payment plan. We are committed to providing
our clients with aggressive and compassionate representation and strive
to take all necessary steps to assist them, even if that means meeting
with them at home or another location. We understand how the prosecution
works, and that provides us with a unique advantage. While we cannot guarantee
a favorable result, we strive to protect our clients’ freedoms to
the best of our ability. To schedule your free, initial consultation,
call McPhie Law today at (480) 771-7977, or
contact us online, to speak with one of our experienced attorneys.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.